Cheapest Aerospace Colleges in California

California State University-Long Beach offers aerospace engineering at just $8,931 net cost, making it the most affordable option among 11 programs statewide. The price gap between public and private schools spans $23,000, with USC costing $31,927 compared to the cheapest public options under $12,000. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduates command the highest starting salaries at $76,460, reflecting strong connections to California's $180 billion aerospace sector anchored by SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing facilities throughout the state. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with nine of the ten cheapest programs offered by state institutions.

Programs

$8,931 – $31,927

Net Price Range

$64,622

Avg. Program Earnings

81.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

11 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, California	$8,931	$7,008	69.9%	40.0%
2	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, California	$11,580	$7,439	66.7%	55.4%
3	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, California	$11,750	$15,265	87.6%	23.7%
4	Stanford University Stanford, California	$12,136	$62,484	92.8%	3.7%
5	University of California-Irvine Irvine, California	$12,840	$14,237	86.0%	21.2%
6	San Jose State University San Jose, California	$13,741	$7,992	64.7%	76.7%
7	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, California	$14,013	$13,747	92.7%	8.6%
8	University of California-Davis Davis, California	$15,288	$15,247	85.1%	37.3%
9	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, California	$15,624	$11,075	85.2%	30.4%
10	San Diego State University San Diego, California	$16,174	$8,290	78.3%	39.3%
11	University of Southern California Los Angeles, California	$31,927	$68,237	92.0%	12.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Cal Poly San Luis Obispo worth the higher cost among public schools?

Cal Poly SLO costs $15,624 but delivers the highest graduate earnings at $76,460, outpacing even USC graduates by $600. The 85.2% graduation rate and strong industry connections justify the premium among public options.

How do UC schools compare for aerospace engineering value?

UC San Diego offers the best UC value at $11,750 with an 87.6% graduation rate and only $20,008 in debt. UC Irvine costs slightly more at $12,840 but has lower graduate earnings of $54,974.

Is Stanford worth considering despite the high sticker price?

Stanford's net price of $12,136 makes it surprisingly affordable for qualifying students, despite $62,484 tuition. The 92.8% graduation rate and 3.68% acceptance rate reflect its selectivity and outcomes.

What role does the Cal Grant program play in affordability?

Cal Grant covers full tuition at public universities for eligible students, explaining why in-state costs range from $7,008 to $15,265. This state aid significantly reduces the financial burden for California residents.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.